This weeks Redditch Standard letters.
IN RESPONSE to Dawn Wheate’s letter this week entitled ‘Parking needs fixing’ I had a two year battle with Good2Go which is the parking firm that run both college car parks.
I used the car park regularly for years and after about 3pm used to pay the elderly gentleman who sat in the wooden hut by the car park entrance a couple of quid to park for an hour and after about 5.30pm parking was free.
When visiting the theatre one September evening in 2019, I did not realise in the dark that the system had changed.
A few days later I was issued with a parking fine for £100. I was really upset by this as I genuinely did not realise that new parking restrictions were in place.
I refused to pay Good2Go and felt so morally wronged that I fought the case all the way to the County Court.
I lost, and the fine was increased to £200.
So much for the courts supporting ‘the little man’ against the powerful corporations!
Ivor Mason
Feckenham
I HAVE recently discovered the fairly new Redditch Local History Museum, situated on Church Green opposite the church, and have spent a couple of visits exploring the contents.
I was genuinely surprised by the variety of material there and by the excellent presentation – clearly a lot of work has gone into it.
It is crammed full of interest: copies of old newspapers, information about the town’s industries including Royal Enfield motorcycles, the development of the new town, short films, interviews with local people, famous Redditch folk such as John Bonham, the Abbey etc.
There is even a model of the old Evesham Street, where I remember shopping in the early 70s before the shopping precinct was finished.
I know the Needle Museum quite well, but it is nice to see this additional local museum in operation.
It’s run by volunteers and relies on donations and money raised and clearly will need support, so why not pop in (open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 4pm), pay the nominal entry fee and enjoy finding out a bit more about your town.
P Toolan
Hunt End
I READ Mr Wass’ letter with dismay last week – largely because it proves our awful government’s dodgy strategy is working.
The boats crisis is a mess of their own making and that’s the way they like it. They use it as a distraction from the catastrophe they have made of running the country.
Thirteen years ago we didn’t have a boats crisis. We also didn’t have 20 per cent food inflation, fuel bills were not through the roof, The NHS was not on its knees, Schools were not facing closure through lack of funds and young people could afford to buy a house.
The fix for the small boats issue is simple. Build a processing centre in France. Macron has agreed to this already. Everyone arriving illegally would be sent back there.
But the Conservatives won’t do that – just like they won’t clean up their own economic mess. Because while we are shouting about small boats we are not noticing the country go to the wall. We are also missing Tories hand taxpayers money to their friends and donors on a grand scale.
The Tories may indeed not be fascists, but there is a good case to be made that they are kleptocrats – that’s a government that steals from, and lies to, its own people.
The sooner they are gone, the better.
Ian Woodall
Labour candidate for Headless Cross and Oakenshaw
WE know it can be difficult to stay socially connected, but keeping in touch and chatting with others can have a huge impact. Conversations can create connections, offer new perspectives, teach you new things, boost happiness, and increase mental wellbeing.
Which is why the NHS Volunteer Responders programme has reintroduced the Check in and Chat service, where local readers who would like a friendly chat or simply a listening ear can request a phone call with a volunteer, whether it be a one-off call or a series of calls.
Receiving a Check in and Chat call is easy and completely free. Readers in Worcestershire can organise it by calling 0808 196 3382 (8am to 8pm, seven days a week). You can also visit nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk where you will find further information.
If your readers would like a call, we are encouraging them to please reach out on the number above, or, to share this information with a loved one, friend, neighbour, or anyone who may need a little extra support and would benefit from a Check in and Chat call.
Thank you,
Sam Ward OBE
Deputy CEO at Royal Voluntary Service
Email [email protected] to send in a letter, or write to us at Redditch Standard, Webb House, Church Green East, Redditch, B98 8BP.
